Screen



March 17, 1964 c. F. FENNER 3,125,196

SCREEN Filed Feb. 2, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Z0 z 5 41 t M I INVENTOR fizzra/v FFf V/V B BY 1 1 .m ATTORNEYS March 17, 1964 F, FENNER 3,125,196

. SCREEN Filed Feb. 2, 1960 2 sheets-shed? (1-754 ra/v F/ZW/VEB BY 7 am 24m ATTORN BY 5 United States Patent 3,125,196 SCREEN Carlton F. Fenner, 6055 SW. 22nd St, Miami 55, Fla. Filed Feb. 2, 19%, Ser. No. 6,183 3 Claims. (Cl. l8-82) This invention relates to a screen, and has as its primary object a provision of an improved screen comprised of a plurality of interchangeable, interlocked, individual units which may be employed as a sun screen, for the purpose of cutting glare, admitting ventilation, deflecting or diffusing direct drafts or winds, and reducing the cost of air conditioner operation.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a screen which may be employed for the purpose of an ornamental grill, providing among other things, burglar protection and which reduces the necessity for the provision of expensive facings and adds beauty and distinction to the interior or exterior of buildings.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of such a screen which may be employed in the nature of a storm shutter, which will allow ventilation during rain storms, or similar weather disturbances.

A further very important object of the invention is the provision of a screen of this character which may be comprised of a large number of interlocked, similar or dissimilar units, thus providing a wide variety of different types of ornamentation within a basic unit structure.

An additional important object of the invention is the provision of such a screen which is comprised of a plurality of individual units, formed of color anodizable aluminum extrusions in various designs.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of locks of the same type and size on all designs of individual units to allow the mixed unit use of units to suit the individual taste.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a screen of this character which may be stored and shipped, as well as colored, to taste as a series of indi vidual units, the assembly of the screen panels being undertaken at a site on or adjacent the construction site, thus reducing expensive field work to a minimum.

A further important object of the invention is the provision of a screen comprised of extrusions which may be cut to any desired length and rake, between 30 and 90, as desired.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a screen of this character which is sturdy and durable in construction, which is lightweight, and which may be manufactured and assembled with a minimum of time, effort and difliculty.

Still other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds, and shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:

1 FIGURE 1 is a rear or interior elevational view, partially broken'away, of one form of screen constructed in accordance with the instant invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged plan view of one of the structural units, showing the fastening means therefor, associated connected units being partially indicated in dotted lines;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of one form of locking element for securing the units to the edge of a panel;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4, but showing a different type of locking unit;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary view of a panel constructed of another type of unit;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary plan view of still another type of unit employing spacers;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary plan view of still another type of interlocked unit employed in forming a screen in accordance with the instant invention;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary view of still another type of unit.

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary plan view of still another type of unit, additional associated connecting units being shown in dotted lines.

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary view of a portion of a panel employing different types of units in interlocked relation.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Having reference now to the drawings in detail, and more particularly to FIGURES l and 2, there is generally indicated at 20 a screen or panel constructed in accordance with the instant invention. The panel includes a frame comprised by vertical side members 21 and 22, a top member 23, and a bottom member 24. The members 21, 22, 23 and 24 are suitably connected at their corners in any desired conventional manner. Opposite side members 21 and 22 are provided at suitable spaced intervals with unit securing plates 25 and 26, respectively. In the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown, the members 25 comprise plates 27 having a pair of dove tail joints thereon comprised by aligned parallel protuberances 28, the inner edge of each protuberance being chamfered as at 29 to provide a female fitting, adapted for the reception of a male element in a manner to be described hereinafter. The protuberances 28 are, in the illustrative embodiments shown, positioned at an angle to the vertical, for a purpose to be described hereinafter. The opposite member 22 is provided with a plurality of male fittings, each of which comprises a plate 30 having a part of a dove tail joint thereon comprised by a single protuberance 31, the sides of elongated protuberance 31 being beveled inwardly and downwardly at 32 in order to conform to an opposed female fitting. The plates 30 are angularly disposed to conform to the disposition of the opposite plates 27.

The screen, as shown in FIGURES l and 2, is comprised of a plurality of individual units 35, each of which is disclosed as elliptical in configuration, and each of which is comprised of a color anodizable extruded aluminum section, which is initially extruded in a continuous length, and then cut to the desired length and at any desired angle of rake from downwardly to approximately 30 or even less. In the illustrative embodiment the unit is comprised of a tubular wall 36, which is cut at an angle of approximately 45 to the longitudinal axis of the original extrusion, so that each fitting is angularly disposed relative to the screen frame 2t), as best shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. The angular inclination, as shown in FIGURE'Z, thus presents an outer flat edge of tubular member 36, as indicated at 37, and a corresponding inner flat edge 38. Each unit is provided with a locking member, which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube 35 and correspondingly inclined to conform to the inclination of locking members 25 and 26. The locking members are disposed at angles of 90 about the periphery of tubular section 35 and extend the full length thereof. At the ends of the major axis of the elliptical cross section male and female locking members 40 and 41 are provided, with a male locking member 40 being positioned at, for example, the top of each unit and a female member 41 at the bottom, while at the ends of the minor axis of the elliptical cross section there is a male locking mem- Patented Mar. 17, 1964- her 40 at one end and a female locking member 41 at the" other. These locking members are identical in configuration to the previously described plates 26 and 25, respectively, and are adapted to interengage therewith.

InFIGURE l a plurality of the members 35 are shown as interlocked continuousuly throughout the frame, it beingnoted that the frame is dimensioned exactly to accommodate the requisite number of individual units evenly. Lower member 24 of the frame, may be provided with male units 25A identical to the units 26, and upper frame members 23 may be provided with female units'2'6A- identical to the units 25, for interlocking the tops and bottoms of the screens in position.

In order to retain the assembled units in related assembly, as well as in association with the frame, the sides of the female units may be suitably crimped after assembly-asdesired. This crimping of the locks gives the lateral stability to transform the plurality of units into an homogeneous panel, able to withstand rigors of the elementsas well as providing the necessary support each to the other.

As best shown in FIGURE 2, it is noted that the under surface- 45 of top member 23 is cut at an angle, leaving the front face 46 of a predetermined width. The bottom member 24 is similarly cut at an angle, but may, if desired, be comprised of wider material so as to leave a front face 47 of the same width as the front face in order to enhance the ornamental appearance of the device when viewed from the exterior of the building. This under cutting of the top and bottom members 23 and 24 of the frame leaves the opening through the latter inclined at the top and bottom at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal plane. Additional extrusions may be used toequalize the margins if required. Obviously, when the device is to be used as an interior screen, the facing may be equalized on the side which is most frequently in the public view.

In the previous modification, the units 35 have been shown as oval in construction, and cut at a substantial rake. FIGURE 6 discloses units 50 of circular configuration, which are cut at an angle of substantially 90. The units 50 may be of any desired length, and are provided with opposed male fittings 51 and female fittings 52 which interlock with the corresponding sections of adjacent members, as in the previous modification. In this modification obviously the side fittings are disposed perpendicular to the frame members to which they are secured, in order to accommodate the right angularly disposed associated fittings 51 and 52. PEG- URE 7 discloses a similar form of construction wherein the circular elements 50 cut at 90 angles are spaced apart by spacer members, each of which comprises a plate or bar 53 having laterally extending projections 54 and 55, respectively, which carry male fittings 56 and female fittings 57, respectively, adapted to engage the corresponding opposite fittings of the members 50 in interlocking relation as shown.

FIGURE 8 discloses a still further modification of the construction, wherein a plurality of triangular extrusions 60 which are cut at a rake of any desired angularity, as, for example, 45 as shown at 61. Each of the triangular members 60 is provided with a female fitting 62' at each apex, and a male fitting 63 at a central point along each side, the arrangement being such that the triangular members may be interfitted as disclosed in FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 9 discloses a member which may be formed to simulate open brickwork. This member, generally indicated at 40, includes a horizontal bar member 71 having a male fitting 72 at either end, and a centrally disposed depending stem 73, which is formed with oppositely disposed female fittings 74, the arrangement being such that an end of each horizontal member is adapted to engage a female fitting in the stem of the next adjacent members, to permit an arrangement as disclosed in FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 10 discloses a hexagon shape design which is constructed of a plurality of members 80, each being comprised of three angularly disposed sections 81, 82, and 33. Section 81 may be provided with a female fitting 84 at its extremity, while section 83 is provided with a similar female fitting 84. Male fittings 35 are provided on enlarged portions 86 at the junctures of sections 81 and 82, and 82 and 83. The arrangement is such that each end section 81 is adapted to engage one of the male fittings at an intermediate portion of an adjacent section so that a complete hexagonal design may be constructed, as indicated in the figure.

Still another modification of the invention is shown in FIGURE 11 wherein a plurality of sections 50, for example, are interconnected between rectangular sections 99, each rectangular section 90 having an inwardly extending T-shaped member 91 extending from the center of one of its sides, and an outwardly projecting leg 92 extending from the outer portion of each side. The legs 92 are provided with opposed male and female fittings 93 and 94, respectively, which are engageable with the opposed fittings 51 and 52 of the sections 50.

Obviously, a wide variety of shapes and sizes of individual units may be employed for the purpose of employing a wide variety of decorative patterns, the sole requirement being that the interconnected elements be cut to the same rake, in order that the angularity of the elements may be constant throughout the device.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved screen construction which accomplishes all of the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made of the embodiments hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A screen including a frame comprised by top, bottom, and end members arranged at a right angle quadrilateral, a plurality of units within the frame each having a longitudinal axis inclined at an angle with respect to the plane of the frame and being arranged in rows with transverse horizontal axes parallel to the top and bottom frame members and ranged in columns with transverse vertical axes parallel to the end frame members, complementary locking elements on the periphery of each unit along said horizontal axes for interlocking the units in the adjacent columns, complementary l0cking elements on the end frame members for engaging the locking elements on the units in the end columns, complementary locking elements on the periphery of each unit along said vertical axes for interlocking the units in the adjacent rows, and complementary locking elements on the top and bottom frame members for engaging the latter locking elements on the units in the top and bottom rows.

2. A screen including a frame comprised by top, bottom, and end members arranged at a right angle quadrilateral with the bottom frame member adapted to be set in horizontal position and the top and bottom members inclined on their inner surfaces at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal plane of the bottom frame member, a plurality of hollow units of ellipical cross section within the frame ranged in rows with the minor axes of the elliptical cross sections parallel to the top and bottom frame members and ranged in columns with the major axes of the elliptical cross sections parallel to the end frame members, complementary locking elements on the periphery of each unit along the minor axis of the elliptical cross section for interlocking the units in adjacent columns, complementary locking elements on the end frame members inclined at the same angle with respect to the horizontal plane as the inner surfaces of the top and bottom frame members for engaging the locking elements on the units in the end columns, complementary locking elements on the periphery of each unit along the major axis of the elliptical cross section for interlocking the units in the adjacent rows, and complementary locking elements on the inclined inner surfaces of the top and'bottom frame members for engaging the latter locking elements on the units in the top and bottom rows.

3. A screen including a frame comprised by top, bottom, and end members arranged at a right angle quadrilateral with the bottom frame member adapted to be set in horizontal position and the top and bottom members inclined on their inner surfaces at an angle with respect to the horizontal plane of the bottom frame member, a plurality of hollow units within the frame arranged in rows with transverse horizontal axes parallel to the top and bottom frame members and ranged in columns with transverse vertical axes parallel to the end frame members, complementary locking elements on the periphery of each unit along said horizontal axes for interlocking the units in adjacent columns, complementary locking elements on the end frame members inclined at the same angle with respect to the horizontal plane as the inner surfaces of the top and bottom frame members for engaging the locking elements on the units in the end columns, complementary locking elements on the 6 periphery of each unit along said vertical axes for interlocking the units in the adjacent rows, and complementary locking elements on the inclined inner surfaces of the top and bottom frame members for engaging the latter locking elements on the units in the top and bottom rows.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 684,826 Karnaghan et al Oct. 22, 1901 910,801 Eggers Jan. 26, 1909 1,151,974 Straight Aug. 31, 1915 1,154,219 Straight Sept. 21, 1915 1,703,608 Bottles Feb. 26, 1929 2,135,766 Pierce Nov. 8, 1938 2,140,610 Willard Dec. 20, 1938 2,166,588 Hanson July 18, 1939 2,641,042 Kopp June 9, 1953 2,774,609 Winger Dec. 18, 1956 2,812,295 Patrick Nov. 5, 1957 2,900,495 Zwick Aug. 18, 1959 2,980,215 Englund Apr. 18, 1961 2,990,923 Macias-Sarria July 4, 1961 2,995,224 Butler et al. Aug. 8, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 561,881 Great Britain June 8, 1944 1,162,442 France Apr. 8, 1958 

1. A SCREEN INCLUDING A FRAME COMPRISED BY TOP, BOTTOM, AND END MEMBERS ARRANGED AT A RIGHT ANGLE QUADRILATERAL, A PLURALITY OF UNITS WITHIN THE FRAME EACH HAVING A LONGITUDINAL AXIS INCLINED AT AN ANGLE WITH RESPECT TO THE PLANE OF THE FRAME AND BEING ARRANGED IN ROWS WITH TRANSVERSE HORIZONTAL AXES PARALLEL TO THE TOP AND BOTTOM FRAME MEMBERS AND RANGED IN COLUMNS WITH TRANSVERSE VERTICAL AXES PARALLEL TO THE END FRAME MEMBERS, COMPLEMENTARY LOCKING ELEMENTS ON THE PERIPHERY OF EACH UNIT ALONG SAID HORIZONTAL AXES FOR INTERLOCKING THE UNITS IN THE ADJACENT COLUMNS, COMPLEMENTARY LOCKING ELEMENTS ON THE END FRAME MEMBERS FOR ENGAGING THE LOCKING ELEMENTS ON THE UNITS IN THE END COLUMNS, COMPLEMENTARY LOCKING ELEMENTS ON THE PERIPHERY OF EACH UNIT ALONG SAID VERTICAL AXES FOR INTERLOCKING THE UNITS IN THE ADJACENT ROWS, AND COMPLEMENTARY LOCKING ELEMENTS ON THE TOP AND BOTTOM FRAME MEMBERS FOR ENGAGING THE LATTER LOCKING ELEMENTS ON THE UNITS IN THE TOP AND BOTTOM ROWS. 